Page 157 of Fury
18
CRUISING TO LOVE
Carrera
Carrera wasn’t backing down, despite Slash’s less-than-desired reaction. She stepped back, but she didn’t walk away. Small victory.
“This was a mistake,” she murmured.
He kissed her. Once. “Let this happen.” Still inches away, he smiled.
She tried not to smile. He watched as she struggled against the joy. He understood her conflict. If she trusted him, if she let herself love him, he could rip her to shreds all over again.
But that wasn’t going to happen. Not this time.
“You want to smile,” he murmured. “Go ahead, be free.”
Her joyful expression sent him flying to the moon.
Their server appeared with a tray of appetizers. “Good evening, Mr. Santini, ma’am.” She set the small plates on a nearby table. “Enjoy,” she said before retreating inside.
“Are you hungry?” Carrera asked.
“Starving.”
He seated her, sat beside her, so they both faced the southwest shoreline. The water looked like cut glass, the orange sun reflecting in every direction. Rather than dig in, he sliced off a piece of Portobello mushroom stuffed with wild truffle and parmesan, and offered her a bite.
She opened her mouth, her lips closed around the utensil, and he slid it out. She smiled as the flavorful appetizer stimulated her palate. He took a bite. It was delicious.
Next, they tried the Spicy Crab Salad Tapas. Another first-class culinary delight.
“How did you start the cruise line?” she asked.
“My sister, Mara, and I decided to go into business together,” he said. “We wanted everything from a tiki bar on the water to fine dining while enjoying a cruise down the river. I worked for the Bureau, so she did the majority of the work, but we worked together on the weekends. We launched with a single vessel.”
Her rueful smile tugged at his heart. “I’m sorry for your loss,” she said. “I know you and Mara were close.”
“She would have loved you,” he said.
“I don’t think so,” she said. “I’m not a family fave.”
“You’re my favorite and that’s all I care about.”
“You say that now, but family get-togethers aren’t fun if they’re always contentious.”
He reached into the pocket of his sport coat, set the small box on the table. “For you.”
She stared at that gift like it had horns and was baring its teeth at her. “Why?”
Leaning close, he kissed her cheek, then her lips. “Love,” he replied.
When she didn’t open the jewelry box, he opened it, pulled out the diamond heart necklace and held it up. The stones sparkled and twinkled in the setting sun, their brilliance a thing of beauty.
“When we were kids, I wanted to buy you a diamond necklace, but I couldn’t afford it,” he said as he unclasped it. “Try it on. See if you like it.”
“You gotta take this down a few notches.”
“I can’t stop how I feel about you.” He clasped the necklace on her. “It looks beautiful. Do you like it?”
